State-ing his case

If he reaches the state final for the fourth consecutive year and wins his second straight title, Neshaminy's Michael Pirozzola could go down as one of the greatest wrestlers in state history.

By TOM WARING

Courier Times

On Saturday, Michael Pirozzola will write the final chapter in his storybook high school wrestling career. Pirozzola enters today's PIAA Class AAA championships as the overwhelming favorite to capture the 145-pound championship. If he does indeed capture the state title, wrestling observers will begin the debate on where he ranks among the all-time greats in southeastern Pennsylvania and statewide.

Perhaps the most celebrated high school wrestler in Pennsylvania history is Jefferson-Morgan's Cary Kolat, who finished 137-0 and won four Class AA state titles. Should Kolat and Pirozzola be mentioned in the same sentence? Council Rock coach C.D. Mock, a state and NCAA champion, thinks so. "I don't think he's that far from Kolat," Mock said of Pirozzola, calling him one of the most physical wrestlers he's seen.

Pirozzola's wrestling resume is impressive. He finished second in the state as a freshman and sophomore, losing each final by just a point. As a junior Pirozzola went undefeated and won the 140-pound crown. He's looking to become just the area's second two-time champ. Neshaminy Maple Point grad John Reich is the other.

Pirozzola boasts a four-year record of 137-7. He recently broke the local record for victories. Scott Stay, who won a state title at Council Rock, held the old record of 134. Pirozzola's 103 career pins are tops in District One and believed to rank third in the state.

If Pirozzola merely finishes in the top eight, he'll become the 36th wrestler to place four times. If he reaches the championship bout, he'll become the 18th four-time finalist and first since McGuffey's Jeremy Hunter, a four-time champ from 1993-96.

Assuming Pirozzola wins all four of his matches at states, he'll finish with 141 victories. That would tie for 18th in PIAA history. One of the two wrestlers with 141 career victories is Chris Kwortnik, a 1989 graduate of North Penn.

Pennsbury coach Joe Kiefer, who's coached for 32 years in the Pennsbury system, counts Reich, Kwortnik and Pirozzola among the top District One wrestlers he's seen. Overall, he'd give Kwortnik - who won three state titles and lost just one career match - a slight edge on Pirozzola.

At the same time, Kiefer thinks that Pirozzola is unparalleled in terms of wrestling knowledge. He added that Pirozzola has the ability to use a wide variety of moves. "He usually doesn't have to," Kiefer said, adding that Pirozzola pins most of his opponents in little time. Mock agreed, saying Pirozzola would easily be able to open up offensively if needed. The Council Rock coach attributes Pirozzola's dominance to his great hips and center of gravity.

Neshaminy coach Vic Stanley has seen many of Pennsylvania's greats. Stanley remembers going to the PIAA championships at Penn State's Rec Hall in 1958, when tickets cost 50 cents. He remembers seeing Lock Haven's Mike Johnson, who won four state titles, went 84-0 and was never taken down.

Stanley said Pirozzola combines strength, technique and knowledge. In fact, Stanley said he's learned things from Pirozzola. "I think he has as much talent as just about anyone I've seen," Stanley said. "He doesn't have close matches."

Pirozzola, who'll redshirt at Lehigh next season, said he is simply looking forward to wrestling this weekend. He said he hasn't looked closely at the pairings, but admits to having butterflies before every match. He said he lives for wrestling in big tournaments such as states and is confident of victory, as long as he wrestles up to his capabilities.

Pirozzola said he's tried to be a good ambassador for the sport of high school wrestling. As for where he ranks, Pirozzola contends that all wrestlers have their individual strengths. Also, they competed in different eras. "It's hard to compare myself to other wrestlers," he said. "But to be classified with guys like Jeremy Hunter and Cary Kolat is an honor, because they were awesome wrestlers who excelled in college."

Thursday, March 9, 2000